Louis F. Berthiaume

FUNERAL HOME

Gruetzmacher Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Suring

116 South Krueger Street

Suring, Wisconsin

Louis Berthiaume Obituary

Barthiaume, Louis F.

Louis F. Berthiaume, 74, Suring, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, surrounded by his loving family and looking out amid his beloved gardens. He was born Jan. 22, 1937, in Escanaba, Mich., the son of the late Louis Sr. and Barbara Berthiaume.

He served in the U.S. Air Force before going to work for American Motors Corp. in Milwaukee in 1958. He was one of seven AMC managers sent to Coleman in 1972 to begin Coleman Products, a new division of the automaker. He spent 18 years at Coleman Products, eventually becoming the plant manager. He later worked for ten years as a manager for Wausaukee Composits before retiring.

Louis was an avid nature lover and history buff. He had a long history of community service while living in Milwaukee, Port Washington and the past 40 years at White Lake in the Town of Bagley. Besides his family, his pride and joy were the beautiful gardens he tended to at home.

He married Rosemarie Nelson on Feb. 7, 1959, and enjoyed 52-1/2 splendid years of marriage.

He is survived by his wife; five children, Daniel (Heidi) Berthiaume, Milton; Joseph Berthiaume, Denton, Texas; Edward (Ellen Clark) Berthiaume, Appleton; Judy (John Leary) Berthiaume Leary, Eau Claire; and Mary Williams, Racine; 12 grandchildren, Jason, Ryan, Eric, Anna, Maria, Adam, Bryan, Kristen (and daughter, Rylee), Gunnar, Nicholas, Erin and Isabella; and four siblings, Sister Barbara Jean Berthiaume, Goodland, Kan.; Pat (Don) Theoret, Gladstone, Mich.; Tom (Barb) Berthiaume, Cornell, Mich.; and Geri (Charles) Cauwels, West Bend.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Gerald.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Gruetzmacher Funeral Home, 116 S. Krueger St., Suring. Services will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. A burial will take place immediately following at Hickory Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Unity, a nonprofit hospice program affiliated with Bellin Health, St. Mary's and St. Vincent Hospitals (www.unityhospice.org) or a charity of your choice.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Green Bay Press-Gazette from Aug. 7 to Aug. 8, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Louis Berthiaume

6 Entries

Shary Meilahn

August 9, 2011

I have been blessed to have worked with a legend. Louie was a wonderful man. He was my BEST Mentor also. He was a great patriarch, strong, smart, loving, and hardworking Father. I was fortunate to have been in Louie's circle of trust. Thank You Louie and God Bless. I will miss you!

Peggy Schroeder

August 8, 2011

I worked with Mr. B thru all of his years at Wausaukee Composites. I don’t think most people realized the kind of man Mr. B was. He GENUINELY cared about people. He was not artificial like so many pretend to be. The same was true of his work , and the projects he would take on. He would go after them with a passion, yet he treated both with respect. I can only remember one occasion that he came in without a white shirt and tie on. A very proud and loving family man, always sharing stories of his family. I could go on and on about this very wise man. He was the BEST mentor I have ever had, both on the job and in life.
To his family, my sincere and deepest condolences in your loss. I will truly miss him and it was an honor to have known him. I only wish I would have told him that myself.

Sue Draves

August 8, 2011

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. With sympathy,

Annie Watson

August 8, 2011

I've been blessed in my life to have Judy as my dearest friend for almost 30 years and I've known her mom and dad that long as well. The stories I love hearing the most are when Judy tells me that her boys were at the lake with Grandpa, fishing and having fun. I know he was a great dad, but he excelled at being a Grandpa. He will be missed by many. We are so sorry for the loss in your family. We are here for you. Love and many, many prayer - Annie and family

Dan and Mary Flannery

August 8, 2011

I met Mr. Berthiaume only a little more than a month ago, but I've known his son, Ed, for more than 20 years.
If a man's life is measured by the children he helped to raise, then Mr. Berthiaume's life was a brilliant success.
I can't think of a better way to put it. Good people leave good people to carry out the mission. Mr. Berthiaume has done just that.
Mary, Mel, Jen and I are so sorry for you loss, but we celebrate the people that Mr. Berthiaume helped to shape. He lived his life well, and you're a wonderful testament to that success.
You are in our thoughts.

Dan F.

Greg Lechleitner

August 7, 2011

Our deepest sympathies go out to the Berthiaume family. Louie was always looking out for the best interests of the Town of Bagley. He was proud of the community and worked hard at making it a nicer place to live. I am glad Louie's last project - The Yard Waste Disposal Site was put into action before his passing, unfortunately he will not get to see the fruits of his labor. I enjoyed working with Louie while he was on the town board, he really cared about the Town of Bagley. He will be missed.

Greg Lechleitner and Family

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